The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish the names of as many as 1.25 crore people against whom a ‘logical discrepancy’ objection has been raised by the poll body during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal.
A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that notices have been issued to about two crore persons for verification of documents. These notices are broadly classified in three categories - mapped, unmapped and logical discrepancy. The Court added that under the 'logical discrepancy' category, mismatch of parents' age and difference in age of grandparents was noticed by authorities.
Considering the huge number of notices, the Court ordered that the names of persons in the 'logical discrepancy' list shall be displayed in gram panchayats, block offices and the ward offices. The Court said the objections against the enlisted names be filed within 10 days and further time be granted for submission of documents.
"Wherever the document is not found satisfactory, such persons shall be given an opportunity to present the same and also be heard at that very time in person or through authorised representative present with the voter," the Court ordered. It further directed the state to ensure that adequate manpower is made available for deployment at the places where people will be provided an opportunity of hearing.
"The state shall ensure there shall be proper law and order arrangements," the Court ordered. It also directed that local authorities shall give a receipt of documents received and also provide reasons for their final decision on objections. Pertinently, the Court also took objection to the ECI issuing directions via WhatsApp instead of an official circular. "There is no question of running everything through Whatsapp. Circular has to be issued," CJI Kant said.
The Court also remarked that directions would be issued wherever necessary. "Over 1 crore people have been notified. Please understand the stress people are suffering. We will issue directions where needed," Justice Bagchi said.
During the hearing of petitions relating to West Bengal on Monday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal submitted that the number of venues approved for hearing is 300 when 1,900 are actually needed. He also questioned the objections being raised by the ECI.
Sibal urged the Court to pass an order to allow Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to assist those who have been issued notices. However, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, representing the ECI, argued that in some cases there is only 15 years difference in the age of parents and the child.
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